Pigeon Peas (Cajanus Cajan) : a Natural Anti-inflammatory Facilitating Weight Loss in Obese Patients Returning to Sport?

Obesity is a generic term for excess body fat. In adults, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight and obesity by a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2, respectively. According to these criteria, the prevalence of obesity has reached 17% of the entire adult population in France (ESTENBAN 2015 study). Obesity prevalence figures in the French overseas departments are higher than in France : 60% of the adult population in Martinique and Guadeloupe is overweight and 25% of the adult population is obese (KANNARI 2015 study). Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic complications even more when patients have a BMI ≥ of 35 kg/m2, defining severe obesity. When the BMI is equal to or greater than 40 kg/m2, obesity is said to be "morbid" and the risk of cardiovascular complications increases by between 100% and 400% depending on the type of complications. The risk of mortality increases in the order of 50 to 100% compared to the normal weight population. However, some individuals do not present cardio-metabolic abnormalities despite a significant excess of fat. Several studies show that cardiovascular and metabolic complications are indeed linked to the accumulation of abdominal visceral fat. An abdominal girth ≥ 94 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in women defines abdominal obesity and predicts a high risk of cardiovascular complications. While in France, abdominal obesity affects about 40% of adults, it affects 47% of men and up to 70% of women in overseas territories. The accumulation of visceral fat is accompanied by a low-grade inflammatory response that is responsible for the secretion of lipid derivatives and mediators that are toxic to the cardiovascular system and insulin sensitivity. The inflammatory response is characterized by the expression of numerous pro-inflammatory molecules synthesized in particular by adipocytes. In addition to the activation of nuclear transcription factors such as NFκB and AP-1, metabolic danger signals such as hyperglycemia and excess lipid intermediates induce the assembly of multi-protein platforms in the cytosol called inflammasomes including the NLRP3 inflammasome. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome activates caspase-1 which its proteolytic activity is responsible for the release of the cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 into tissue and circulating blood. Strategies that decrease the inflammatory state and the volume of intra-abdominal fat are a therapeutic goal to limit the occurrence of cardiovascular complications and insulin resistance in the obese. In this context, it is suggested that reducing the inflammatory response could improve weight loss in obese people. Regular physical activity and a healthy diet have clearly demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and are effective in weight loss in obese patients. Several epidemiological and clinical studies highlight the potential "health" effects of molecules with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties contained in fruits and vegetables, called phyto-micronutrients. In obese patients, phyto-micronutrients such as certain polyphenols of the flavonoid class are beneficial on plasma markers of inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid profile and weight loss. Among legume seeds, Cajanus cajan or pigeon pea represents an interesting variety because of its high content of non-thermosensitive flavonoids of the isoflavone type (genistein and daidzein). In the French Overseas Departments (DOMs). We hypothesize that the resumption of adapted physical activity and the reintroduction of polyphenol-rich tropical legume seeds in the diet could bring a benefit in the management of severe obesity in overseas territories by reducing the activation of inflammation mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome and facilitating the reduction of abdominal visceral fat and weight loss.